CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
There was a knock on the door. As Grayson glanced at Hayley, the knocking became louder and more impatient. Hayley could hear voices outside the door but she couldn't make out what they were saying. They seemed to be talking over one another, fighting to be heard above the din. The pounding on the door continued.
Grayson strode to the bedroom door and placed his hand on the handle. “You ready?” he asked Hayley.
She took a deep breath and nodded.
Grayson threw the door wide open and the large group outside spilled noisily into the room.
“Alpha!”
“Hayley! You're awake!” Ari squealed, rushing towards her.
More and more people were coming into the room. They just kept streaming in until they filled every available space in the sprawling bedroom.
Hayley looked around and smiled at the Sentinels. They were all Grayson's packmates, and they had all been so worried about her. Hayley had never been hugged and kissed by so many people in her life.
Scott came up to her and heartily pumped her hand up and down. “You saved our Alpha,” Scott said, his eyes shining with respect and admiration.
“Scott almost died on the spot when you threw yourself over Grayson,” Ari said, nudging Scott.
“I'm his Beta,” Scott said, scowling. “It's my duty to protect my Alpha...”
“I'm his mate,” Hayley answered. She slipped her hand into Grayson's large, warm one. “I will give my life for him. He is my life.”
As Ari hugged her hard, Scott cleared his throat and said, “We'll be rebuilding your house, Hayley, and we have a few designs for you to look through.”
When Hayley's eyes rounded in surprise, Scott went on, “The Red Razor pack owns a construction business. It's the only legitimate business they own, so Grayson thought we should keep the business and expand it.”
Hayley glanced towards the window. “So those men and women I saw working on my house are from the Red Razor pack.”
“They were. They're part of the Sentinels now,” Grayson said.
Hayley fell silent for a while. Then she looked up and said, “I want to redesign the layout of the house entirely. It won't be a residential home.”
The room became quiet as everyone stared at her.
“You're not moving, are you, Hayley?” someone asked at last.
“As a matter of fact, I am,” Hayley answered in a firm, clear voice.
She smiled and continued, “I'm moving in with Grayson.”
Amidst the cheers and happy laughter, Hayley said, “I know that Grayson's house is the unofficial headquarters of the pack. But...”
“But now that our Alpha's mated, it won't be appropriate for us to come barging into his house at all hours of the day and night,” Scott said, grinning. “Are you thinking of building a new...”
“Yes. I'm thinking of building a brand new headquarters for the pack.” Hayley beamed. “I'm thinking there should be spare bedrooms for the kids to nap in and for the teams who need to rest in between long missions and assignments. There will be ample meeting rooms, a games room, a large kitchen and eating area...”
As the Sentinels erupted into applause and hoots of approval, Grayson stopped her and asked quietly, “Hayley, are you sure about this? This is your house, your property. You can keep it as an investment or rent it out. You don't have to...”
“I want to do this,” Hayley answered, looking him straight in the eye. “I am your mate, Grayson. I'll be living in this big house with you. I don't need another house.”
She looked around his crowded bedroom and smiled. “This is my home. And this—is my pack.”
The Sentinels surged towards them, enveloping them in a fierce hug as Grayson held her in his arms and kissed her. Hayley closed her eyes, and the raucous whoops and applause of her packmates faded into the background as she kissed her mate.
She did belong in Wolves Hollow after all. She truly belonged here, with her mate and her pack. To her, Wolves Hollow was no longer a strange and mysterious little town. It was wonderful and beautiful. It was home.
* * * * *
End